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There are perennial reports in Iowa of tension between Spiker and Republican Gov. Terry Branstad, who is up for reelection next year, but Spiker said it is overstated. He said he has “a great relationship” with Priebus and “a good working relationship” with Branstad.

“We’re in good shape, but there will be plenty of spin,” said Spiker. “I will tell you there were people who attempted to have us bypassed, but I just don’t think I’ve been difficult. Otherwise they would be bypassing me.”

Spiker notes that his party is among the top 10 with cash on hand and has no debt, which 19 state GOPs do. He said heavy turnover among the Republican chairs of states and territories makes him no longer feel like the new kid on the block.

“I’m 25th of 56 in seniority, and I’ve been around 18 months,” he said.

Iowa national committeeman Steve Scheffler, a social conservative activist in the key presidential state, said Spiker worked to gain the confidence of Priebus last year so that the state party was not bypassed like Nevada.

“The bottom line is that people who look objectively say AJ [Spiker] has done a good job,” he said. “Anytime new people come into the party you have growing pains.”

Just north in Minnesota – another state whose delegation Paul controlled at the national convention – the state GOP faced eviction from their headquarters last spring for unpaid rent. And the establishment favorite for U.S. Senate lost at a state convention to a libertarian state representative named Kurt Bills, who ran an inept campaign and lost the general election by 34 points.

Many mainstream Republicans broke for the liberal incumbent, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, proving once and for all that infighting has consequences.

A new chair, Keith Downey, took over in April with support from all blocs to focus on retiring debt, getting the business community off the sidelines and bringing peace between libertarians and party regulars.

Activists say that Bills’ crushing defeat has done some damage to the liberty movement psyche, causing soul searching and a renewed focus on electability.

Minnesota national committeeman Jeff Johnson, who is running for governor next year, said the Paul people are still a force but less so than in the past.

“I really feel like we have gotten past the worst of the factionalism,” he said. “Hopefully at least there won’t be portions of each faction trying to drive the other out of the party.”